Kilimanjaro: Viljoen climbs with a higher purpose for GBV-survivors silenced by fear
Karen Specter • 9 May 2025
PRESS RELEASE ON BEHALF OF 1000 WOMEN TRUST: 9TH MAY 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kilimanjaro: Viljoen climbs with a higher purpose for GBV-survivors silenced by fear
Leonie Viljoen, a wellness coach in Boston, Bellville who twice survived abuse during her lifetime, has decided to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain peak in Africa, at the end of Junie to raise awareness of the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust and its initiatives to create safe spaces for women who have been subjected to gender-based violence.
Viljoen, a mother of two toddlers, says she has not decided to climb the 5895 metres to the summit of Kilimanjaro for the thrill or the glory of the photos at the top of the mountain.
“Rather, I do if for the women who’ve endured pain deeper than any crevasse on that mountain. I climb for women subjected to gender-based violence whose fight is steeper, their endurance greater and their courage unlimited,” Viljoen said.
“And I climb for 1000 Women Trust, who as an organization has crated initiatives for women to report sexual abuse without fear.
“Each step I take is for the woman silenced by fear. For the girl told her pain is private. For the survivor who wakes up every day and chooses to keep going. The altitude will test my body, but it’s their stories that weigh on my heart. And it’s their strength that will push me higher,” she says.
“Many women suffer sexual abuse and don’t know what their rights are or what the appropriate and meaningful next steps should look like.
“Many suffer psychologically and the abuse can drive them to the edge of despair, instead of reporting it.
“And that is where an organization like 1000 Women Trust is enormously helpful,” said Viljoen.
“1000 Women Trust is a lifeline. Through its trauma training course and the establishment of the GBV-Warriors-initiative it offers a shelter, safety and the fierce belief that every woman deserves to live free from fear. When I ascend Kilimanjaro, it is to raise financial support so that 1000 Women Trust can expand their services and establish an even wider and deeper footprint,” Viljoen says.
“Help me turn every meter I ascend into a step toward justice, dignity, and healing. Join me. Support 1000 Women Trust. And together, let’s rise — higher than we ever thought possible,” Viljoen said.
Viljoen is a member of a party of eight who will start climbing on 25th June. Their trip will last eight days.
"Climbing Kilimanjaro has been a goal of mine since 2018. I climb with passion and purpose,” Viljoen said.
“Showcasing resilience to reach the top despite what I had to endure in my life.
“This is me showing up, for myself and the millions of women that have been/is exposed to GBV.
“Strengthen my hand by donating now and link to GivenGain,” Viljoen said.
People who want to support Viljoen financially for the benefit of 1000 Women Trust, can do it on the following link: https://www.givengain.com/project/leonie-raising-funds-for-1000-women-trust-93660.
Viljoen also invited women to join the Virtual Walk. A virtual walk is an event where participants complete the distance at their own time, location, and pace, rather than all together at a specific time and place. Participants register for the walk online, choose their own route, track their walk with a fitness tracker or app, and then submit their results to receive a medal or other finisher swag.
“I want to call women to action to do the Kilimanjaro-event in their own time and place,”said Viljoen. “Run 5895 metres, walk 5895 metres or cycle 5895 metres would be ways to do the virtual walk in support of my ciimb.
People who want to enter, can give detail to intern@1000women.co.za.
“Why it could be advantageous to do the Virtual Walk is to get Leonie to the summit of Kilimanjaro, to receive a 1000 Women T-shirt and to do it in support of the many GBV-Warriors who daily support GBV-Warriors. Women also do it in solidarity with women around South Africa, and in support of more safe rooms in GBV-hotspots. They also do it to strengthen 1000 Women Trust,” said Tina Thiart, co-founder of 1000 Women Trust.
For more information about 1000 Women Trust, visit them on www.1000women.co.za or phone them on (061)4690479 or send a mail to info@1000women.co.za.
Press release compiled by Fanie Heyns on behalf of 1000 Women Trust. For more information, contact Leonie Viljoen on 076-6356430.
Advocate makes alarming claims about victims of child rape admitted to Care Centers About 60 to 65 % of people treated at the Thuthuzela Care Centers are children who are raped in their family homes in South Africa, says advocate Tarisai Mchuchu-MacMillan, executive director of the Mosaic women’s training service and healing centre. Adv. Mchuchu-MacMillan spoke at a women-in-dialogue-event, hosted by the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust, a pioneer in the field of creating awareness of gender-based violence, at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town during the weekend. More than 250 women attended the glittering event and were welcomed by Marlene le Roux, CEO of the Artscape Theatre. Tina Thiart, co-founder of 1000 Women Trust, said these alarming revelations form part of a bigger picture pf 113 women that are raped every day. According to a recent study conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) an estimated total of 1 338 336 women were abused roughly between January and December of 2021 and 432 525 women were sexually abused. When one pay tribute to the more than 20000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 th August 1956 in protest against the extension of pass laws to women, one must also pay tribute to the more than 950 SA women that are murdered in each quarter of the year, she said. Thiart also referred to the statistics that underline the gender inequality that still exist in South Africa. “One in five girls get married before they get to the age of 16 and one in four girls do not enroll at secondary school,” she said. “In South Africa, women, on average earn 30 % less than men, and of the 50000 sexual offences that are reported annually, most go unpunished,” Thiart added. “Girls in rural areas are twice as likely to drop out of school than in metropolitan areas,” Thiart said. Thiart emphasized the commitment by 1000 Women Trust of providing resources to 52 safe houses in South Africa over the next few months in support of warriors in GBV-hotspots across the country to assist survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. These safe houses fill the void in the period between an attack in the evening and the next day when these warriors will escort the women to the police stations, Thuthuzela Care Centres or the courts to lay charges. Felicity An Guest, a child maintenance expert who suffered economic abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, warned at the event that a dysfunctional child maintenance court and system is often weaponized to punish the ex-wives in South Africa. She said 60 % of women in South Africa who are divorced, get zero child support due to a dysfunctional child support system. “Ultimately, these courts can become a form of oppression and make these women more vulnerable to more abuse by their ex-husbands,” she warned Lynn Hill, a globally recognized motivational speaker who overcame rape, said in a poem at the women-in-dialogue-event: “Pain became my second name and my gateway to victory. My roar is to live a purposeful life. Self-love amplifies my presence in the world.” Leonie Viljoen, a gender activist who ascended Kilimanjaro at the end of June to create awareness of GBV and femicide, said she raised more than R20000 through her efforts for 1000 Women Trust. “The climb underlined the fact that ordinary women can still do extraordinary things,” she said. For more information about 1000 Women Trust, contact the Trust on info@1000women.co.za or phone on 061 469 0479 .
1000 Women Trust host Women in Dialogue-event – highlight on social calendar of Cape Town – on 8 th August 2025 In celebration of women’s month, 1000 Women Trust, a pioneer in the field of the creation of awareness of gender-based violence, will host one of the social highlights on the calendar of Cape Town - the women in Dialogue event – formally known as the dialogue on gender-based violence and systemic change. It will happen on 8 th August 2025 at the Chandelier Foyer, Artscape Theatre, Cape Town - a powerful platform where women’s voices, experiences, and solutions take center stage. The starting time is 12:00. About women in dialogue on gender-based violence and systemic change: In South Africa, women and girls face unequal access to education, healthcare, safety and economic opportunities. Gender-based violence, wage gaps and under representation in leadership are alarming systems of a deeper, systemic issue. That is the topic that will be discussed on Friday 8 th August in the Chandelier Foyer at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. (Group Tables are available at R2000 per table for eight people). The program, that starts on 12:00, will feature a candle lighting ceremony, a welcoming word by Wendy Ackerman, founder member of 1000 Women Trust, while Leonie Viljoen will share her experience of successfully ascending Kilimanjaro and scaling the heights for the sake of and benefit of women who suffered sexual assaults and abuse. Another highlight of the program will be a panel discussion and table dialogue on women’s inequality – economically and in leadership positions. Tina Thiart, co-founder of 1000 Women Trust and trustee, will deliver her annual report. Lara Fouche, social media manager of 1000 Women Trust, will be the MC, while Bianca Charles will act as event coordinator. Although the Women in Dialogue-event take centre stage in August, this is only part of 1000 Women Trust’s activities during Women’s Month. 1000 Women Trust is providing free on-line trauma volunteer training in August so that women in communities all over the country can create a safe space for others affected by gender-based violence. This free trauma training counseling can be accessed on Whatsapp on (061)4690479 . The Trust also provides free on-line counseling for women in August 2025. Women can phone 061-4690479 to access this counseling service. The Trauma training course of 1000 Women Trust has been a success-story for over five years and 15000 women have completed it. The course have received rave reviews and have been one of the cornerstones of the work done by GBV-Warriors in hotspots afflicted by domestic abuse. A total of 57400 pamphlets creating awareness of gender-based violence have been distributed by the Trust. If you as are able to attend the Women in Dialogue-event, please contact Bianca Charles on 0730903362 . For more information about the Trust, visit the website on www.1000women.co.za or contact the Trust by mail on info@1000women.co.za
Mboweni highlights gender equity-challenges at C20-conference Focusing on gender equality in all sectors of South African life, highlighting the factors that undermine that equity, and making people aware of the sterling work done by 1000 Women Trust to equip women to stand firm against perpetrators of gender-based violence, were part and parcel of Palesa Mboweni’s contribution at the C20 conference in Johannesburg. Mboweni, a 1000 Women Trust GBV Warrior, headed one of the 14 groups at the C20-conferences which discussed gender equity – not only in South Africa but on the continent as the C20 is representing all 19 countries that form part of the G20. The G20 aims to ensure their voices are heard. The C20, a gathering of various civil society organisations across 14 working groups, is tasked with developing policy proposals to be presented to government, comes just 23 weeks before South Africa is set to be the first African county to host the G20 Summit. The C20 aims to ensure that world leaders pay attention to the recommendations and demands of organized civil society. The goal is to boost social and economic development and human rights. The C20 seeks economic justice and efficient resource allocation to achieve this by “leaving no one behind.” A focal point – under the theme of “solidarity, equality and sustainability” is to address the fight against hunger, poverty and inequality and to promote governance reform. Mboweni says the greater access of SA women to skills development programs under digital in was emphasized by the gender equity group. The gender disparity between men and women in South Africa is well known. In 2024, the labour force participation of men stood at 65.6 %, compared to 55.8 % for women. In South Africa, women are paid on average, between 23 and 35 % less than men for the same work. This means that for every R100 a man is paid, a woman earn between R65 and R77. Some areas show a much wider disparity. Since 2016, the unemployment rate of women are generally higher than men – 36 % for women compared to 30 % for men, according to Stats SA. Mboweni says that high unemployment rate can sometimes cause desperateness amongst women and girls, which could be make them vulnerable to abuse – like a sex-for-job culture. “In our working Group we spoke about gender-based violence, and the way it hampers or undermine the effectiveness of women in the workplace. One of those factors is harassment. We emphasized that the law enforcement agencies must be strengthened in order to deal more effectively with gender-based violence and root it out,” said Mboweni. According to study by KPMG done in 2014, the economic cost of gender-based violence was between R28.4 and R42.4 billion. “At the C20, we highlighted the importance of the right education in order to underline the equality of women to men and why there is a need for economic equality,” Mboweni said. Mboweni, who was subjected to gender-based violence for an extended period, highlighted the tireless work done by 1000 Women Trust to equip women and communities with the right skills to deal with abuse and violence. One of those courses is the First Responders course that equips women with skills and knowledge during emergencies – like filling in forms to obtain a protection order, how to approach the South African Police Services and the courts. She also referred to the superb quality of the social auxiliary work training that 1000 Women Trust provide for the GBV-Warriors in order to assist these Warriors to provide a safe space for women, girls and disabled people subjected to gender-based violence. 1000 Women Trust has presented meaningful contributions in order to shape policy development for Civil Society and is positive that their voice will be heard at the G20 summit in November, says Mboweni.
1000 Women Trust plead for community-support for safe rooms on Mandela Day The women-led organization 1000 Women Trust is imploring communities to honour Madiba’s legacy on Mandela Day on Friday 18 th July by giving back to those in need by donating blankets, clothes, non-perishable food, household goods and paint to safe rooms where community stalwarts are serving survivors of gender-based violence. These community stalwarts are called GBV-Warriors and the safe rooms where they serve abused women are part of Project Orange, launched by 1000 Women Trust. The GBV-Warriors-campaign and Project Orange were initiated by 1000 Women Trust in August 2024 to provide critical support to women and children severely impacted by gender-based violence, particularly within the crucial first 24 hours after an attack. Tina Thiart, executive trustee of 1000 Women Trust, said through interviews conducted with 500 community women in 2023, it was established that there is desperate need for safe spaces for women especially during the 24-hours after gender-based violence occurred. The GBV-Warriors are foot soldiers who are on the ground in communities, providing crucial support to abused women. They are women who have completed trauma and anti-bully training, facilitated #HearMeToo sessions, partnered with social workers or counsellors, have worked closely with police and have organized GBV awareness initiatives in the community, said Thiart. Project Orange, in essence, is the availability of safe rooms managed by trained GBV-Warriors in the community who will establish a comfortable and welcoming environment to women who are victims of GBV. There they will receive assistance in these rooms before transitioning to service providers the next day, like shelters and Thuthuzela Care Centres. “The long term plan is to train 250 women to be GBV-Warriors and so far we have 118. The initiative on Mandela Day on Friday 18 th Jul to reach out to communities to provide material for safe rooms, will help us to better equip GBV-Warriors so that they could provide vital assistance for women who are in the cross-fire of gender-based violence and abuse in the country,” Thiart said. “The safe rooms and Project Orange are vital in assisting women in South Africa, as 114 women are daily raped and 170 are daily the victims of sexual assault,” Thiart said. People who want to donate can do it on the following platforms: GivenGain: Shortened link for GivenGain: https://www.givengain.com/project/GBV-Safe-Room EFT: NEDBANK – Savings Account 1000 Women Trust Account Number: 9022837766 Branch Code: 198765 Paypal: https://paypal.me/TThiart?country.x=ZA&locale.x=en_US Donate Goods - Blanlets, Clothes, Non perishable foods: Contact the 1000 Women Office @ 061 469 0479
1000 Women Trust plead for community-support for safe rooms on Mandela Day The women-led organization 1000 Women Trust is imploring communities to honour Madiba’s legacy on Mandela Day on Friday 18 th July by giving back to those in need by donating blankets, clothes, non-perishable food, household goods and paint to safe rooms where community stalwarts are serving survivors of gender-based violence. These community stalwarts are called GBV-Warriors and the safe rooms where they serve abused women are part of Project Orange, launched by 1000 Women Trust. The GBV-Warriors-campaign and Project Orange were initiated by 1000 Women Trust in August 2024 to provide critical support to women and children severely impacted by gender-based violence, particularly within the crucial first 24 hours after an attack. Tina Thiart, executive trustee of 1000 Women Trust, said through interviews conducted with 500 community women in 2023, it was established that there is desperate need for safe spaces for women especially during the 24-hours after gender-based violence occurred. The GBV-Warriors are foot soldiers who are on the ground in communities, providing crucial support to abused women. They are women who have completed trauma and anti-bully training, facilitated #HearMeToo sessions, partnered with social workers or counsellors, have worked closely with police and have organized GBV awareness initiatives in the community, said Thiart. Project Orange, in essence, is the availability of safe rooms managed by trained GBV-Warriors in the community who will establish a comfortable and welcoming environment to women who are victims of GBV. There they will receive assistance in these rooms before transitioning to service providers the next day, like shelters and Thuthuzela Care Centres. “The long term plan is to train 250 women to be GBV-Warriors and so far we have 118. The initiative on Mandela Day on Friday 18 th Jul to reach out to communities to provide material for safe rooms, will help us to better equip GBV-Warriors so that they could provide vital assistance for women who are in the cross-fire of gender-based violence and abuse in the country,” Thiart said. “The safe rooms and Project Orange are vital in assisting women in South Africa, as 114 women are daily raped and 170 are daily the victims of sexual assault,” Thiart said. People who want to donate can do it on the following platforms: GivenGain: Shortened link for GivenGain: https://www.givengain.com/project/GBV-Safe-Room EFT: NEDBANK – Savings Account 1000 Women Trust Account Number: 9022837766 Branch Code: 198765 Paypal: https://paypal.me/TThiart?country.x=ZA&locale.x=en_US Donate Goods - Blanlets, Clothes, Non perishable foods: Contact the 1000 Women Office @ 061 469 0479
A frustrated and desperate mother, Kathreen Moonsamy, has approached CNN to share her anger about the failure of the South African Police Service to act decisively after the murder of her daughter, Eden Moonsamy, who died from unnatural causes – possibly due to somebody who struck her with a blunt object against the head. Yet, there has been no justice for the family of the 19-year old Moonsamy. “That is why I approached Cable News Network (CNN), a multinational news organisation operating as a website and TV channel and headquartered in Atlanta,” says Kathreen Moonsamy. Moonsamy was murdered in Bellair in Ethekwini – and passed away on 23rd December 2023. According to the death certificate she died of unnatural causes. She suffered blunt force trauma to the head. Yet the police have failed to do a full and thorough investigation, says Kathreen Moonsamy. And nobody has been charged for the murder, despite the fact that the former boyfriend and his family were there with Eden before and after her attack. Moonsamy was taken to hospital by her former boyfriend, who subsequently phoned Kathreen to tell her she is in hospital due to a “panic attack.” When Eden’s father visited the hospital where she was on a ventilator, he saw that she had bruises and cuts across her body. “She was brain dead the moment she arrived at hospital and passed away seven days later,” says Moonsamy. The investigator did not take statements from Eden’s friends. One of the close friends of Eden claim that the boyfriend of Eden assaulted her with a firearm on several occasions. “The former boyfriend, who is suspected of committing the murder, was very controlling of my daughter,” said Kathreen. “He apparently had a hold on her and she was afraid of him,” Moonsamy said. “I have tried in vain to get the investigating officer to open a docket of murder. When I asked him why they don’t investigate further, he says it is complicated. I phoned the office of the regional police commissioner, and they have appointed a brigadier who is a detective. “The brigadier said to me this case is not complicated. She died of unnatural causes and a blunt object might have been used. What is complicated,” said Kathreen Moonsamy. Section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act states that a public prosecutor can request the attendance before him of any person who is required to give information about an alleged offense, said Moonsamy. Eden’s friends revealed the full extent of her suffering, telling Kathreen that Eden confided in them about her boyfriend’s alleged abuse. “They informed us that Eden told them that she was in an abusive relationship and her boyfriend would hit her on hidden body parts and if he hurt her in the face, she would use make-up to cover up the bruises,” Kathreen told the Phoenix Tabloid. Tina Thiart, co-founder of 1000 Women Trust, says that in May 2024, the South African Police Services admitted in parliament that over 5.4 million case dockets were closed due to insufficient evidence or leads since the 2018/2019 financial year. Averaging over 1 million cases per year, it means that almost 3,000 cases are closed daily by the SAPS without victims of crime ever receiving justice. Included in these 3,000 cases closed daily, are gruesome murders, rapes of family members, brutal assaults and kidnappings. SAPS eThekwini District communication commander, Captain Carmen Rhynes, confirmed to the Phoenix Tabloid that the case is still under investigation and that the SAPS is working closely with the National Prosecuting Authority. “The question must be asked why it is taking the police 18 months and yet there has not been any arrest,” said Thart. “Why are the police dragging their feet,” Thiart said. “We support the Moonsamy family and we constantly pursue advocacy in order to expose poor leadership by the police and the department of social development,” Thiart added. The 1000 Women Trust is a women’s organization that aims to raise awareness around gender-based violence, rape and abuse and mobilize resources. These resources make it possible for us to assist women-led organizations with grants and skills development. For more information about the Trust, visit the website on www.1000women.co.za or phone us on 061-4690479.
Far too many women suffer behind closed doors in our country, and abuse survivor Leonie Viljoen is taking a bold step; in fact, she’s climbing Kilimanjaro to empower those silenced by fear. Leonie, who twice survived abuse during her lifetime, has decided to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain peak in Africa, to raise awareness for the women-led organisation 1000 Women Trust and its initiatives, which support women who have been subjected to gender-based violence. The mother of two toddlers shared that taking on the 5895-metre climb wasn’t for the thrill or the glory of the photos at the top of the mountain but in support of the women who have endured pain deeper than any crevasse on that mountain. 1000 Women Trust is inviting all women and men to join the 1000 Women Virtual Walk/ 27–30 June 2025 *Show up for yourself* We’re walking together, to support a powerful cause! From 27 to 30 June 2025, walk, run, cycle or just move! in solidarity with _Leonie Viljoen as she prepares to climb Mount Kilimanjaro_— breaking the silence on Gender-Based Violence. Let’s take steps toward a safer, more empowered world for women and girls. Your participation helps amplify this vital message. Entry Fee: R300 Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTHBMU0A51N6xIaJz_GETA6SGeBCluhYhvPIXzBMu6pedyKA/viewform?usp=sharing Whether it’s around your block, in your living room, or on a mountain trail—your walk matters. #1000WomenVirtualWalk #WalkForChange #BreakTheSilence #GBVawareness #SupportLeonie #ClimbForACause #ShowUpForYourself I am doing this in my own community and donate to 1000 Women Trust https://www.givengain.com/project/leonie-kili8
CAPE TOWN. - The deadline of the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust’s national From-Bystander-to-Upstander competition to mobilise learners across South African schools to address bullying, is drawing closer. The deadline will be on the 20 th June, 2025. 1000 Women Trust’s virtual walk event is from 27 th to the 30 th June. Get your T-shirt. You can register now for the Trauma volunteer and anti-bully training for July. It is free. The women’s festival at Artscape in Cape Town is on 7 th August 2025. The From Bystander to Upstander competition invites schools and learners to showcase how bullying can be addressed in constructive ways through creative mediums such as posters, songs, poems, stories and graffiti and thereby change the culture of harmful behaviour at school grounds, has been launched by the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust. The Trust invites participation in the competition, encouraging schools to showcase how the 5 D's of being an upstander can be utilised to intervene when bullying occurs at schools. The 5 D’s - Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct - as strategies to stand up against bullying, shifting from passive bystanders to proactive upstanders. These strategies include distracting the bully, delegating to seek help, discreetly documenting the incident, delaying to emotionally support the victim, or directly intervening, Individuals or groups can enter the From-Bystander-to-Upstander-competition by tagging their entry with #1000women1Voice on social media. Or they can email their entry to newsletter@1000women.co.za . Multiple entries are allowed and work can be done individually or in groups. Use any medium – posters, songs, poetry, graffiti, stories and more to showcase how you can intervene using the 5 D’s to foster awareness of bullying and promote a supportive school environment. The winning entry will receive R1000. The deadline for the submission of entries is on the 20 th June 2025.
CAPE TOWN. - The deadline of the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust’s national From-Bystander-to-Upstander competition to mobilise learners across South African schools to address bullying, is drawing closer. The deadline will be on the 20 th June, 2025. 1000 Women Trust’s virtual walk event is from 27 th to the 30 th June. Get your T-shirt. You can register now for the Trauma volunteer and anti-bully training for July. It is free. The women’s festival at Artscape in Cape Town is on 7 th August 2025. The From Bystander to Upstander competition invites schools and learners to showcase how bullying can be addressed in constructive ways through creative mediums such as posters, songs, poems, stories and graffiti and thereby change the culture of harmful behaviour at school grounds, has been launched by the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust. The Trust invites participation in the competition, encouraging schools to showcase how the 5 D's of being an upstander can be utilised to intervene when bullying occurs at schools. The 5 D’s - Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct - as strategies to stand up against bullying, shifting from passive bystanders to proactive upstanders. These strategies include distracting the bully, delegating to seek help, discreetly documenting the incident, delaying to emotionally support the victim, or directly intervening, Individuals or groups can enter the From-Bystander-to-Upstander-competition by tagging their entry with #1000women1Voice on social media. Or they can email their entry to newsletter@1000women.co.za . Multiple entries are allowed and work can be done individually or in groups. Use any medium – posters, songs, poetry, graffiti, stories and more to showcase how you can intervene using the 5 D’s to foster awareness of bullying and promote a supportive school environment. The winning entry will receive R1000. The deadline for the submission of entries is on the 20 th June 2025.
CAPE TOWN - A national From-Bystander-to-Upstander competition to mobilise learners across South African schools to address bullying through creative mediums such as posters, songs, poems, stories, or graffiti and change the culture of harmful behaviour on school grounds, has been launched by the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust, an organization committed to creating awareness of gender-based violence and femicide. 1000 Women Trust invites participation in the competition, encouraging schools to showcase how the 5 D's of being an upstander can be utilised to intervene when bullying occurs at schools. Learners are invited to use the 5 D’s - Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct - as strategies to stand up against bullying, shifting from passive bystanders to proactive upstanders. Tina Thiart, co-founder and executive trustee at 1000 Women Trust, explained the significance of the 5 D's: "A bystander witnesses bullying and does nothing, whereas an upstander takes action against it by employing the 5 Ds. These strategies include distracting the bully, delegating to seek help, discreetly documenting the incident, delaying to emotionally support the victim, or directly intervening. “We want to encourage learners to become change-makers,” said Thiart. “We want to inspire them through this competition to constructively engage when bullying occurs in order to peacefully confront the offenders so that there could be a significant change in the culture of bullying in South Africa,” Thiart added. “This is a fun-filled competition and it encourages innovative ways of speaking out against bullying. Yet, we should not forget the serious nature of the scourge in this country,” Thiart added. Annually, bullying affects 3.2 million learners in South Africa. Around 57% of South African learners have been bullied at least once in their life. 67% of these victims will not report their abuse as they believe that they will not be assisted. Learners across the country continue to suffer physical and emotional trauma at the hands of callous classmates and teachers. Last year, a grade 12 student at Kgabo Secondary School in Ga-Mokgokong, 21-year-old Joseph Maimela, took his own life after allegedly being bullied by his teachers who reportedly told him that he would “amount to nothing”. And he is not the only learner who has resorted to such extremes in efforts to escape the trauma of bullying at schools. The Department of Health reported 7,426 suicide attempts by children younger than 18 between April and December last year, said Thiart. 1000 Women Trust has been a leading organization in the creation of awareness of bullying and has distributed more than 5000 pamphlets to hundreds of schools in all provinces. Its comprehensive anti-bullying-course has been attended free on-line by more than 11000 parents and teachers the past five years. Natalie Chisikana, a gender-based violence warrior of 1000 Women Trust who helps to create safe spaces for abused women, underlined the importance of the From-Bystander-to-Upstander competition. “Learners bully for different reasons. Some are attention-seekers, others do it because they are bored. The competition highlights the negativeness of bullying and encourages learners to not merely be spectators but to take action,” said Chisikana, who finished as runner-up of the 2024-competition. Chisikana, a tutor who assists struggling learners with their homework, said one of the challenges of bullying is what happens after bullying is reported. “Sometimes it is reported but the teacher who receives the report does not take action. Or if a bully is disciplined, he and his friends will wait outside the school gate for the person who reported the bullying.” Lucretia Samsam, a tireless worker and community activist who utilizes the 100 Women Trust anti-bullying toolkit to engage with teachers, parents and learners in Freedom Park, an informal settlement in Ottery, says sometimes the prime offenders with regards to bullying are parents who bully their children. “I use workshops to engage with parents about the dangers of bullying. The from Bystander-to-Upstander-competition will help to mobilize learners and teachers in communities to engage constructively to address the scourge of bullying.” Individuals or groups can enter the From-Bystander-to-Upstander-competition by tagging their entry with #1000women1Voice on social media. Or they can email their entry to newsletter@1000women.co.za . Multiple entries are allowed and work can be done individually or in groups. Use any medium – posters, songs, poetry, graffiti, stories and more to showcase how you can intervene using the 5 D’s to foster awareness of bullying and promote a supportive school environment. The winning entry will receive R1000. The deadline for the submission of entries is on the 20 th June 2025. For more information about 1000 Women Trust, visit the website on www.1000women.co.za or email the Trust on info@1000women.co.za
